This research-focused Master's program is tailored for highly capable students who aim for rapid progression into academic or professional economist roles. It delivers advanced quantitative tools and methods and is structured to match the rigor of the first two years of leading PhD programs in the US and UK, providing a clear PhD-track pathway for those who wish to continue in research.
The curriculum blends demanding core courses in economics with extensive training in mathematical and statistical methods. In the third semester students undertake joint or individual research projects that allow early specialization and support the production of original research for the Master’s thesis. Complementary courses in soft skills and key competences round out preparation for academic and non-academic careers.
The LMU Department of Economics—one of Germany’s largest and most respected economics departments—emphasizes close supervision. Every student is paired with a core faculty mentor and a post-doctoral mentor chosen to match their research interests, ensuring tailored guidance throughout the program.
Program expectations / key points
Curriculum overview
The program is structured around compulsory and elective modules that together make up 120 ECTS taken over four semesters. The first semester provides intensive, advanced training in the core quantitative methods used across microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. In the second semester you deepen these methods courses and select a primary field of specialisation — options include microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics or public economics — an innovative, research-focused element of the degree. You and your examiner agree on the specific topic within that field that will feature in your exam preparation.
Key modules and progression
For the oral examination you typically combine one advanced course with one advanced seminar and review current research in the chosen field as part of your preparation. The program also includes targeted soft-skills training (for example academic writing and oral presentation) to help you communicate research effectively. In the third semester you pick a second field specialisation and work on a personal or joint research project that builds towards the program’s research component. The fourth semester is dedicated to producing an original Master’s thesis in your chosen area.
Learning outcomes
Graduates finish with rigorous quantitative and theoretical skills in micro, macro and econometrics; specialised expertise in one or more subfields of economics; the ability to design and carry out independent empirical or theoretical research; and improved academic writing and presentation abilities suitable for publishing, presenting at conferences, or continuing to PhD-level research.
Concise requirements and milestones
Applicants are normally expected to hold a Bachelor's degree in economics with a final grade of at least "good." If your undergraduate degree was completed outside of LMU or is not in economics, a faculty selection committee will review your transcripts and course content to determine whether your qualification is equivalent in both subject-matter and methodological training.
A strong quantitative test score is required: a GRE quantitative reasoning result at or above the 75th percentile. If you cannot provide a GRE score by the application deadline, you will be required to sit a written admission test administered by the university. After the formal entry conditions are satisfied, candidates are invited to a selection interview that assesses their economics knowledge, their ability to articulate and reason about economic issues, and their proficiency in English.
International applicants should be prepared to submit documentation that clearly demonstrates curricular equivalence (course descriptions, syllabi, transcripts) and to demonstrate quantitative and English skills either via the GRE or the university’s written test and interview.
Winter Semester (International)
15 March 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 March 2026
Graduates are well prepared for doctoral programmes and academic research careers thanks to the programme’s PhD-level structure and early emphasis on original research. The strong quantitative and methodological training also suits careers as professional economists in central banks, international organisations, policy institutions and research institutes.
Outside academia, alumni are competitive for roles in economic consulting, data-driven policy analysis and quantitative positions in the private sector where advanced econometric and modelling skills are required.